• About Thadou Tribe: Reside in hills adjacent to the Imphal Valley, Manipur.

o Other Names: Chillya, Kuki, Kukihin, Teizang, Theruvan.

o Language: Speak Chin and Thado, belonging to the Tibeto-Burman family of Sino-Tibetan languages.

o Village Structure: Village chief’s house is the largest dwelling. A platform outside serves as a meeting place for discussions and dispute resolution.

o Economy:  Predominantly Jhum (slash-and-burn) agriculture.

o Subsistence activities: Domestication, cultivation, hunting, fishing.

o Religious Beliefs: Believe in Pathen, the creator and ruler of the universe. Sacrifices offered to Pathen for health and assistance.

o Festival: Hun-Thadou cultural festival marks the arrival of the New Year.

• About Meitei Community: It is an ethnic group, also called Manipuri people, dominant community of Manipur.

o Language: Speak Meitei (Manipuri), one of India’s 22 official languages, and sole official language of Manipur.

o Distribution: Primarily settled in Imphal Valley, Manipur, also found in Assam, Tripura, Nagaland, Meghalaya, and Mizoram. Notable presence in Myanmar & Bangladesh.

o Population: Represent 53% of Manipur’s total population.

o Clans: Strict clan system with no intermarriage among clan members.

o Economy: Rice cultivation on irrigated fields is the economic base.

o Religion: Majority follow Hinduism. Over 8% are Muslims.